Medical Electrode Providing Improved Uniformity of Current Density, Recovery Time and Durability

Abstract

An improved external medical electrode demonstrates uniform current distribution across its face, improved recovery time after delivering a defibrillation charge and improved ability to deliver pacing charges over extended periods. An ellipsoid, metal charge spreading layer is connected to a hydrogel layer by a carbon-containing polymer layer having on its hydrogel-contacting surface at least two layers of silver chloride-coated silver. A hyper-hydrosis inducing agent applied to the hydrogel layer on surface for contacting skin can substantially decrease skin impedance for improved operation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims all benefits to and priority in U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 62 / 544,859 and 62 / 544,862, each filed on Aug. 13, 2017, the entirety of each of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to medical electrodes for use in treating or diagnosing conditions by the application or monitoring of electricity and, more specifically, to electrodes having improved uniformity of current density across the face of the electrode when delivering charge.BACKGROUND[0003]Medical electrodes are commonly applied to a patient's skin to monitor electrical signals produced by the operation of internal organs, such as the heart, and to apply therapeutic electrical current through the skin to treat or control internal organs. For example, electrocardiograph (ECG or EKG) recording with medical electrodes is well known as is the use of medical electrodes to send e...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The improved medical electrode described in this patent has a special layer that helps spread electrical charges evenly across the surface of the device. This makes it easier to measure the electrical activity of the heart or treat life-threatening heart rhythms. The electrode also has a hydrogel layer that is coated with silver to improve its performance. Additionally, a special conductive adhesive layer containing carbon helps connect the electrode to the skin. When a special gel is applied to the surface of the electrode, it helps reduce the impedance of the skin, allowing for better performance and easier use over longer periods of time.

Problems solved by technology

Electrodes that do not provide even distribution of a defibrillation charge can result in a relatively large amount of charge entering the skin through a relatively small portion of the hydrogel surface of the electrode.

Such events can result in serious burns to the patient.

The need for surgery to place electrodes subcutaneously is a disadvantage of the solution disclosed there.

The need for complex circuitry is seen as a disadvantage of the solution disclosed in this publication.

However, impedance of medical electrodes face-to-face is typically well under 40 Ohms.

As a result, high currents applied through such electrodes through the skin have in some instances resulted in burns to the skin due to areas of high and low impedance through the skin.

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